Why should I do a joint doctoral degree in tourism at the UdG?

1. Because at the UdG tourism is a strategic investment

At the University of Girona, our commitment to tourism dates back to 1997 when the Government of Catalonia assigned the former Official School of Tourism to the University of Girona. Since this moment, the UdG's commitment to tourism has been key to its national and international positioning.

One of the most important milestones of this strategic commitment has been that the University of Girona, together with the University of the Balearic Islands, has achieved the distinction of Campus of Excellence in Tourism and Water awarded by the Ministry of Education. This distinction demonstrates the commitment and strength of the two institutions in the field of innovation and tourism research.

Furthermore, at the University of Girona, the commitment to tourism can be seen in the UdG 2020 programme, the University's strategic plan, which details the significance of training and research in tourism as one of the basic areas of specialisation at this university.

2. Because at the UdG we have extensive experience in teaching higher degrees in tourism.

Tourism studies were first introduced at the UdG in 1989 when the Official School of Tourism of Catalonia was set up in Girona, the first official school of tourism outside Madrid.

In 1997 the Official School of Tourism of Catalonia was ascribed to the University of Girona. This assignment enabled the Diploma in Tourism to be offered from the academic year 1997-1998.

In 2001-02, the School of Tourism was integrated into the University of Girona and changed its name to the University School of Tourism. The UdG becomes the first University in Catalonia to offer official Tourism studies at public prices. Moreover, the UdG has been the coordinator of the white book of the Bachelor's degree in Tourism. Finally, in December 2007 the transformation of the School into the Faculty of Tourism was published in the DOGC, thereby creating the first Faculty of Tourism in Spain.

The UdG was also a pioneer in offering postgraduate studies in tourism (Higher Degree in Tourism Management), which was the precursor to the current masters in Tourism management and planning.

Currently, the UdG offers a doctoral degree and three master's degrees in tourism: the master in cultural tourism, the master in tourism management and planning and the European Master in Tourism Management. The last of these, which is carried out together with the universities of Southern Denmark and Ljubjana, is the only master from the Erasmus Mundus network dedicated specifically to the field of tourism.

In 2005, the University of Girona created the doctoral degree in Tourism Research, the first programme of its kind in Spain in this knowledge area. El curs 2006-2007, aquest programa, s’integra juntament amb altres com ara el doctorat en Innovation Management, R & D, and Technology evaluation, distingit amb la menció de qualitat pel Ministeri d’Educació i Ciència, en un nou programa de doctorat en Turisme, Dret i Empresa, seguint les exigències del nou Espai Europeu Superior (EEES). In 2013-2014, and as a result of a proposal to split this programme, the current interuniversity programme of the doctoral degree in Tourism came about.

This extensive and varied experience in teaching tourism studies means the UdG is ranked in 2nd place among universities in Spain for tourism studies, according to the world ranking.

3. Because at the UdG we have extensive and consolidated experience in tourism research

The UdG fostered the creation of INSETUR, a Higher Institute of Tourism Studies. INSETUR is a research centre specialised in tourism,dedicated to fundamental and applied research in tourism. INSETUR studies tourism from a cross-disciplinary perspective. In this way they aim to bring together the various perspectives in tourism analysis: business, commercial, geographic, heritage, legal, environmental... The Higher Institute of Tourism Studies brings together the research tradition of the CRIIT Foundation, Centre of research and innovation of the tourist industries. The CRIIT Foundation was a pioneer in its attempt to coordinate research between the University and tourist companies and institutions, and it was formed by, among others, the Costa Brava-Girona Tourist Board, the Chamber of Commerce and various tourist associations and guilds.

Likewise, the UdG has propitiated the creation of research groups working in the field of tourism studies. Some specialise exclusively in tourism-related research such as the Multidisciplinary Laboratory for Tourism Research (GRHCS058) or the group of organisational Networks, innovation and development of tourism strategies and tourist products, ONIT (GRHCS087), both members of INSETUR. Other groups work in tourism-related research but from a more indirect perspective, such as the GREP group, Process, product and production engineering (GRCT062), Archaeology and Prehistory (GRHCS083), and Economy, statistics and health, GRECS (GRHCS066).

At the UdG, research in tourism, through the INSETUR and the various research groups, has formed the basis of many doctoral theses, competitive research projects, both national and international, inter-university cooperation projects with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) and transfer projects.

4. Because the body of researchers in tourism at the UdG is among the best in the state

The research teams taking part in the joint doctoral programme in tourism have extensive experience in teaching higher education programmes in tourism studies, with proven experience in tourism-related research.

Furthermore, most of the teaching staff involved in the Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism have taken part directly in the Doctoral Degree in Tourism, Law and Business. On the other hand, the research teams have proven experience in supervising doctoral theses. As a matter of fact, the number of doctoral theses on tourism-related subjects presented at the UdG is one of the highest in Spain.

Furthermore, the body of teachers and researchers at the UdG working in the field of tourism have participated in and directed various international and national R&D programmes, a multitude of research contracts with businesses and institutions, they have made important contributions to first quartile indexed journals which are included in the JCR ranking (ISI Journal Citation Reports), such as Annals Tourism Research, Tourism Management, Journal of Travel Research, Tourism Geography, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, etc; or journals rated A or B according to CARHUS, ERIH, DICE, Latindex or similar.

5. Because the UdG has fostered excellent relations with the tourism sector, which have materialised through a large number of projects

The relations that the UdG has with the touristic sector have materialised through a large number of projects, educational collaborations, seeking out synergies, presenting joint proposals for European and International Programmes, etc. In this regard, the main collaborations are those with the Catalan Tourism Agency, the Costa Brava Tourist Board- Girona, the Catalan Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (ICRPC), The department of Cultural Heritage of the Government of Catalonia, Department of Tourism of the Government of Catalonia, Turisme de Barcelona, Provincial Councils, Town Councils, Networks of Museums, Tourist Offices, tourist accommodation (Federations and Associations of Hotels, Campsites, Rural Tourism, Tourist Apartments), leisure and tourism companies, etc.

What is more, in recent years, the UdG, through the Faculty of Tourism, has created and participated in networks with other national and International institutions, such as: ATLAS, UNITWIN, NECSOTUR, REDINTUR, PRIME, etc.

The Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism at the University of Girona is the result of the close collaboration between the two universities in the area of tourism and the experience of the participating researchers in this field of study. The aim is to train researchers who are able to integrate cross-disciplinary methods and concepts, and to promote intensive specialisation in some of the programme's lines of specialisation as well as the acquisition of general skills related to working independently and in a group. This joint doctoral programme falls within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Campus of Tourism and Water (e-MTA), in which the two universities, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) take part.

1. The innovation, management and development of tourist products

It includes the following research areas: Tourist product innovation processes, entrepreneurship, tourist destination marketing and communication strategies, financial management of tourist products, information systems for product management, governance and management of networks and relations with customer suppliers and other stakeholders, management of operations for consuming tourist products, contractual aspects of tourist services and products, leadership and human resources in the management of tourist products, etc.

Potential doctoral-thesis tutors: Dr José A. Donaire Benito, Dr Esther Martínez García, Dr Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr Núria Galí Espelt, Dr Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr Lluís Prats Planagumà, , Dr Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr Konstantina Zerva, Dr Josep Maria Aguirre Font and Dr Lluís Coromina

Potential doctoral-thesis directors: Dr Joaquim Majó Fernández, Dr Sílvia Aulet Serrallonga, Dr Dani Blasco Franch, Dr Jordi Comas Trayter, Dr Judith Diaz Sauceda, Dr Ariadna Gassiot Melian, Dr Joan Solé Pla, Dr G. Coenders, Dr José A. Donaire Benito, Dr Esther Martínez García, Dr Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr Núria Galí Espelt, Dr Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr Konstantina Zerva, Dr Josep Maria Aguirre Font, Dr Lluís Coromina, Dr Ariadna Gabarda Mallorquí, Dr Francesc Fusté Forné and Dr Carolina Martí Llambrich

2. Management and marketing of tourism destinations

It includes the following research areas: tourist policy, planning tourist spaces, landscape and tourism, legal aspects of organising the territory, heritage and tourism, destinations management models, tourist destination marketing and communication strategies, destination funding, managing the image of the destination, information systems and managing knowledge at the level of the destination (includes GIS), and managing networks and relations in the destination, etc.

Potential doctoral-thesis tutors: Dr. José A. Donaire Benito, Dr. Esther  Martínez García, Dr. Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr. Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr. Núria Galí Espelt, Dr. Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr. Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr. Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr. Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr. Konstantina Zerva, Dr. Josep Maria Aguirre Font, Dr. Lluís Coromina, Dr. Sílvia Espinosa Mirabet (Communication, Advertising and Public Relations)

Potential doctoral-thesis supervisors: Dr. Joaquim Majó Fernández, Dr. Sílvia Aulet Serrallonga, Dr. Dani Blasco Franch, Dr. Jordi Comas Trayter, Dr. Judith Diaz Sauceda, Dr. Ariadna Gassiot Melian,  Dr. Joan Solé Pla, Dr. G. Coenders, Dr. José A. Donaire Benito, Dr. Esther  Martínez García, Dr. Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr. Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr. Núria Galí Espelt, Dr. Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr. Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr. Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr. Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr. Konstantina Zerva, Dr. Josep Maria Aguirre Font, Dr. Lluís Coromina, Dr. Ariadna Gabarda Mallorquí, Dr. Francesc Fusté Forné, Dr. Carolina Martí Llambrich, Dr. Sílvia Espinosa Mirabet (Communication, Advertising and Public Relations)

3. The behaviour of tourists

It includes the following areas of research: analysis of demand, market segments, profiles and patterns of consumption, image of the destinations, tourist mobility, contractual protection of the consumer, etc.

Potential doctoral-thesis tutors: Dr. José A. Donaire Benito, Dr. Esther  Martínez García, Dr. Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr. Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr. Núria Galí Espelt, Dr. Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr. Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr. Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr. Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr. Konstantina Zerva, Dr. Josep Maria Aguirre Font, Dr. Lluís Coromina, Dr. Sílvia Espinosa Mirabet (Communication, Advertising and Public Relations)

Potential doctoral-thesis supervisors: Dr. Joaquim Majó Fernández, Dr. Sílvia Aulet Serrallonga, Dr. Dani Blasco Franch, Dr. Jordi Comas Trayter, Dr. Judith Diaz Sauceda, Dr. Ariadna Gassiot Melian,  Dr. Joan Solé Pla, Dr. G. Coenders, Dr. José A. Donaire Benito, Dr. Esther  Martínez García, Dr. Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr. Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr. Núria Galí Espelt, Dr. Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr. Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr. Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr. Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr. Konstantina Zerva, Dr. Josep Maria Aguirre Font,Dr. Lluís Coromina, Dr. Carolina Martí Llambrich, Dr. Ariadna Gabarda Mallorquí, Dr. Francesc Fusté Forné, -ERR:REF-NOT-FOUND-Dr. Sílvia Espinosa Mirabet (Communication, Advertising and Public Relations)

4. The impacts of tourism and sustainability

Responsible for the economic, environmental, and social and cultural impact of tourist policies and the behaviour of tourists. Also in charge of the tourist products and destinations management strategies and practices that foster sustainability and, therefore, minimise the negative impacts of tourism. It also includes corporative social responsibility practices and the positive impacts that tourism can have for conserving heritage.

Potential doctoral-thesis tutors: Dr José A. Donaire Benito, Dr Esther Martínez García, Dr Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr Núria Galí Espelt, Dr Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr Konstantina Zerva, Dr Josep Maria Aguirre Font and Dr Lluís Coromina

Potential doctoral-thesis directors: Dr Joaquim Majó Fernández, Dr Sílvia Aulet Serrallonga, Dr Dani Blasco Franch, Dr Jordi Comas Trayter, Dr Judith Diaz Sauceda, Dr Ariadna Gassiot Melian, Dr Joan Solé Pla, Dr G. Coenders, Dr José A. Donaire Benito, Dr Esther Martínez García, Dr Jaume Guia Julvé, Dr Lluís Mundet Cerdán, Dr Núria Galí Espelt, Dr Dolors Vidal Casellas, Dr Lluís Prats Planagumà, Dr Rosa M. Fraguell Sansbello, Dr Raquel Camprubí Subirana, Dr Konstantina Zerva, Dr Josep Maria Aguirre Font, Dr Lluís Coromina, Dr Lluïsa Faxedas Brujats, Dr Carolina Martí Llambrich, Dr Ariadna Gabarda Mallorquí and Dr Francesc Fusté Forné, Dr. Albert Llausas Pascual

Additional requirements

The regulations governing the teaching programmes of doctoral degrees at the University of Girona establish that the Academic Committees of each doctoral programme may establish requirements additional to those set out by the School of Doctoral Studies in the following cases:

1. The Academic Committees will be able to establish requirements and criteria in addition to those provided for in article 3 for the selection and admission of students to the corresponding doctoral programme.
2. The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme may establish additional requirements for becoming a thesis tutor.
3. The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme may establish additional requirements for becoming a thesis director.
4. The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme will be able to establish additional requirements for the authorisation to present a thesis in the form of compendium of publications.
5. The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme may establish additional requirements for becoming a member of the thesis tribunal.
6. The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme may establish additional requirements to award the mention "cum laude".

The Doctoral Programme in Tourism is governed by Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which establishes the organisation of official doctoral studies programmes. The access requirements are those set out in this Royal Decree and which can be consulted at the following web address www.udg.edu/doctorat/acces.

For admission onto the Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism, the Academic Committee will appraise the following documentation:

1. A brief Summary of the Proposal / Research Project (maximum length one sheet of A4, approximately 1000 words) where there are:
   • The research question (or provisional title)
   • The objective and / or hypothesis of the project
   • Methodology proposed to answer the QUESTION: of research
   • Academic references On the subject of study (3/5 bibliographical sources)
2. At least two letters of recommendation for the candidate, from an academic or researcher. Letters should be sent directly to the Programme Director (ja.donaire@udg.edu)
3. The candidate’s curriculum vitae.

Regarding educational activities, the School of Doctoral Studies organises courses, seminars and other cross-disciplinary educational activities (soft skills) directed at research training and assisting with the writing and presentation of the doctoral thesis. We ask that the courses be given in English as our language of choice, although Catalan is the language most frequently used. They are generally 10-hour courses or seminars. There are a series of activities that are transferable and are of interest to all doctoral programmes, and others that are specific to a particular doctoral programme 

Educational course catalogue

Doctoral theses read in the programme

Doctoral theses read in the area

Doctoral student guide

Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism

Rating criteria for special awards for doctoral degrees

The criteria for the doctoral degree special award for our programme have now been established. The scoring proposal is as follows:

1. Publications derived from the thesis (up to 3 points): Publications in indexed journals in the first quartile of their category will receive the highest score, which will decrease proportionally depending on the quartile of the journal. Whether or not the doctoral student is the first signatory will also be taken into account.
2. Patents or transfer activities (up to 3 point): All activities must stem from the doctoral thesis. The transfer activities can be dissemination publications, book chapters, guides, and so on.
3. Contributions at conferences (up to 1.5 points): Attendance at international conferences will be especially highly valued.
4. Research stays (up to 1 point): Stays longer than a month in other national or international research centres carried out during the doctoral thesis will be taken into account.
5. International mention (up to 1 point)
6. Other merits related to the thesis (up to 0.5 points): According to the criteria of the members of the panel.

Other activities derived from the thesis which, according to the commission, make a significant contribution to the advance of knowledge and have not been contemplated in the former points (a maximum of 1 point may be granted).

Minimum score threshold: To be able to obtain the distinction of an extraordinary prize, a score not inferior to 5 points must have been obtained in the assessment of the merits.

Content for a thesis in the form of a summary of current publications from the 2019-20 academic year

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Doctoral thesis format criteria

No restrictions are put on areas; they may be tourism, sociology, geography, etc.

Content for a thesis in the form of a summary of publications from courses enrolled on prior to the 2019-20 academic year

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Compulsory training for doctoral students

Joint Doctoral Programme in Tourism

Compulsory education:  20 h. of cross-disciplinary education to be chosen from the courses offered by the School of Doctoral Studies.

All the courses offered on the doctoral programme